Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-02-04
THE COAST.
Wetmore OH the Sweet
Wine Bill.
WE GET ADDITIONAL JUDGES.
Senate Discusses the Irrigation
Bill-A Husband Kills His
Wife and Suicides.

Special to The Herald by the associated Press
SAN Francisco, February 3.-Thc
fear that the sweet wine bill now iu the
House Conference Committee may,
through the influence of Eastern grain
distillers, be reported back adversely,
causes much anxiety to wine makers of
California. The Bulletin this evening
Publishes letter from G. A. Wetmore,
President of the National Viticultural
Association. and Chief Executive Viii.
cultural officer Of California, on the sub
jeet. The bill provides that the tax OF
30 cents . gallon be remitted on such
grape spirit as is used in fortifying sweet
wines. Wetmore in his letter says: "If
the bill passes winenakers can use grape
spirit as cheaply as grain spirits, and
viii consequently prefer the former. 1t
will also remove the prohibition against
expectation, and our producers will be
able 10 enter into competition with for
eign countries whose exported products
are untaxed. There will also be less
and pure whisky from Kentucky.
Fer this latter reason Kentucky distil-
lers favor the sweet wine bill; whereas,
for similar reason, Ohio aud Illinois
distillers oppose it, as 1t will tend to
slightly diminish their market. Wet.
more says California winemakers, in de-
string to have Congress pass this bill,
are not seeking to oppose Eastern grain
distiilers in their legitimate trade. They
simply ask that the wine industry Of
this State should be 30 dealt with as
will permit winemakers TO produce the
best possible article for public consump-
tion. They are even willing to aid East.
ern grain distillers to OBTAIN reduction
of The tax on grain spirit, when used in
arts and other purposts outside OF wine
usss. Wemor further writes: ''It is
reliably stated that a pool OF com
Founders has been created, backed
by a large sum of money, not SO much
TO beat the sweet wine bill and its
twin sister The Green spurious wine tax
bill but to enforce if possible an amend
znent permitting the free use of grain, as
well as grape spirits, in fortifying wines.
The object of this movement is to give
the genuine wine maker as well as tbs
cDmpounder, the choice between grain
alcohol at 10 to IA cents per gallon and
grape brandy of suitable quality at 81
to $l-25 per gallon. If they should
suceeed sweet wine making would be
utterly demoralized. Now that this bill
Is before the House in conference with
the Senate committee the absence of some
experieneed wine maker from California
is severely felt, as the pool is of work
and disseminating false information as to
the objects of the bill. 1t is well there
fore to neutrality-suspicious. as to the
objects of the bill. The first one to
correct is the statement that the bill
viii operate solely for the benefit of
California, excluding Eastern wine maxi
ers because they do not distil brandy.
On the contrary, the bill was particular.
ly framed SO as to satisfy the interests OF
both sections. Oae part provides that
maker of pure. sweet VINE who Is also
disliller of grape brandy may use such
brandy free within the limitations
named. Another provides for the wine
maker who is not distiller by permit.
ting the withdrawal from bond free OF
tax for similar purposes. Whether this
bill is passed or not, special bonded
warehouses for grape brandy will be es.
tablished in the East SO that there will
be no lack of facilities. This entire
snbject was investigated by the lead
ing New York wine makers, and their
full consent was given to the movement.
One of them, Mr.. Dewey. even desiring
to 90 further and prohibit the use OF
grain alcohol. Let it be understood dis
sinctly, that when it is said Eastern
wine makers are opposed to this meas'
ure, the statement refers only to COM
Founders of artificial wines, unless there
may be some who are misinformed. OF
the members of the council of National
Viicultural Associations who have in
the East been specially consulted, the
following ore known to be positively in
favor of the measure: Mr.. Barder and
Davis, of Hammondsport; Mr.. Dewey
and Mr.. Clayton, New York; Mr.. Pear
son. New Jersey; Mr.. Green, North
Carolina, and OF hers, who by their past
actions indicate their goodwill"